Sectional mattress for invalids



July 7, 1936. E E, MASON 2,046,645

SECTIONAL MATTRESS FOR INVALIDS Filed April 10, 1936 Patented July 7, 1936 TA'E'ES FATE 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in sectional mattresses for beds, cots, and the like and it has for its primary object to provide a construction which is more particularly designed to afford comfort for invalids undergoing treatment and requiring the use of excrement vessels.

The invention is characterized as to novelty by the provision of a removable section so constructed and arranged as to permit ready dis- 1o placement and replacement, in combination with a unit to be substituted therefor, which will provide a complementary recess presenting a suitable opening to receive a bed pan or other receptacle.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter set forth and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of my invention with the sections assembled and connected for normal usage of the mattress;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view showing the replacement unit cooperating with the mattress to provide a central opening;

Fig.. 3 is a perspective view of the removable unit used in connection with the mattress for normal usage; and

Fig. 4 is a similar view of the replacement unit to be substituted for the unit shown in Fig. 3.

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing and specifically describing the invention, the embodiment thereof illustrated is composed of two main sections which go to make up the complete mattress for normal use, said sections being generally designated A and B, respectively. That is to say, the mattress is divided longitudinally along a median line, rather than transversely as has been the custom heretofore in ordinary sectional mattresses. This arrangement of the longitudinal section is of importance in that the construction greatly facilitates the operation of changing a patient from the ordinary unitary mattress to this invalid mattress.

To this end, it is only necessary for the patient to turn over to the side of the unitary mattress and permit said mattress to be partially pulled 01f 50 of the bed. Thereupon, section A of the invalid mattress of this invention may be pushed onto the bed and the patient rolled over onto the said section A. This section is then pulled over upon the complete removal of the unitary mattress and section B then shoved into position, the transfer of the patient in this manner requiring very little annoyance or disturbance.

Section A of the mattress is rectangular in shape, but its inner edge is cut away at l to form a semi-elliptical notch or recess substantially cen- 5 trally of the inner edge.

Section B, on the other hand, is composed of three distinct sections preferably-two correspondingly shaped end sections 2 and 3 and a middle section 4, which latter section is substan- 1O tially wedge shaped with its inner end rounded, as indicated at 5 in Fig. 3, so as to conform to and fit into the recess l of section A. When the sections are arranged as shown in Fig. 1, the normal usage of the mattress is aiforded, it being 15 desirable to provide fastening means such as ties 6 composed of tape for connecting the various sections of the mattress together. Zipper fasteners may be used instead of the ties where desired, the particular form of fastener being optional so far as this invention is concerned.

In the position shown in Fig. 1, an interlock is established between the sections by reason of the extension of the end of section 4 into the recess 1 of section A and by reason of the position of the end of section 4 referred to, the patient will have a smooth and comfortable support at the center of the mattress on which to lie.

Section 4, however, may be displaced when it is desired to introduce into the mattress a receptacle. for treatment or other purposes. In its stead, a replacement unit 1 may be introduced, this replacement unit being wedge shaped as in the case of the removable unit 4 with which it conforms. But unlike unit t, the inner end of section 'I is recessed, as indicated at 8, said recess corresponding to the semi-elliptical recess I in section A of the mattress. As will be apparent from Fig. 2 of the drawing, the two recesses I and 8 form an opening in the center of the mattress in which opening the vessel to be used is introduced, preferably, on a rubber or similar pad ly ing on the spring.

In the use of this form of the apparatus as shown in Fig. 2, it is only necessary to turn the patient onto the side so as to occupy section A of themattress. Thereupon the removable unit 4 may be quickly displaced and the replaceable unit I, by virtue of the tapering shape of the sides, may be slipped into place after the vessel has been introduced into the notch l of section A. By turning the patient back, a position will be assumed lying over the vessel in the center opening.

As regards the material of which the mattress is composed, this may be of the usual type and 55 tufted in the customary manner, or the pneumatic type.

While the specific details of construction have been herein shown and described, the invention is not confined thereto as alterations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof as defined bythe appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An invalid mattress of the class described, comprising complemental sections, one of which is provided with a recess on its inner edge and the other of which is provided with a substantially wedge-shaped removable section, said removable section conforming to and extending at its inner end into the recess of the first mentioned section.

2. An invalid mattress of the class described, divided longitudinally along a median line, one of said sections having a lateral recess of substanl V tially semi-elliptical shape, the other of said sections being composed of end units and a middle 7 unit, said middle unit being wedge-shaped to facilitate introduction between the end units aforesaid.

comprising 'complemental sections, one of said sections having a recess in its inner edge and the other of said sections being composed of end units and a middle unit of wedge-shaped form, the inher end of said wedge-shaped unit being recessed correspondingly to the recess of the first mentioned section whereby to provide a central opening in the mattress.

FLORENCE E. MASON.

3. An invalid mattressof the class described," 

